September 07, 2009

The Edible Word: Confections of a Closet Master Baker Roundup Part 1

Whenever Stephanie, my amazing adopted sister (one I chose for myself as an adult) and I talk, the discussion invariably revolves around food and books. It seemed only natural then when we decided to combine our love of the two last year by creating a foodie book club where we asked participants to read with us -- and to make a dish inspired by what they had read. Our first book was a novel about a feisty middle aged food television personality -- our participants showed an amazing range of creativity when it came to making dishes inspired by the book. When we picked our second book earlier this summer, the lovely ladies at Cook the Books were gracious enough to co-host this event with us.

Our second selection is a nonfiction memoir: Confections of a Closet Master Baker, written by Gesine Bullock-Prado, a Hollywood producer who decides to pursue something more soul enriching by fleeing Tinseltown and heading to Vermont, where she opens a bakery. Gesine, as you might remember, is my favorite macaroon maker. The book traces her baking journey, learning from her mother and grandmother, to the solace it offers her as life in Hollywood becomes increasingly dissatisfying until she chucks it all to become a baker in Vermont.

As before, we're amazed and gratified by the gorgeous and thoughtful concoctions whipped up by our particpants; in particular we noted that several people made plum tarts...given the bittersweet and touching back story to the Zwetschgendatchi, we completely understand why they gravitated to this particular dessert. Here is part one of our round up. Check back tomorrow for part two and don't forget to stop by Stephanie's site to see the remainder!

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Holly
hasn't been feeling too well lately but is inspired to make a delicious
looking carrot cake -- only she decides to make cupcakes so there are
plenty more...

Mary, the amazing Breadchick at The Sour Dough, offers her grandmother's Magic Chocolate Cookies,
which had the power to appease twenty plus grandchildren with different
opinions and preferences for chewy versus crunchy cookies!

Deb is one of the lovely hosts at Cook the Books in addition to Kahakai
Kitchen. Deb herself is in the midst of
career transition and is inspired to make this gorgeous Apfelkuchen. Maybe you should become a baker professionally Deb?!

Who can resist a crunchy cloud? Not us...and not Lizelle's daughter, whose partiality for pink is indulged by these airy Raspberry Meringues...

Beth at Kitchen Courage decides to bake for the first time in a while and makes these sweet, comfort-food indulgent Pumpkin Peach Whole Wheat Muffins - one to eat right away and th others to be frozen for future noshing!